Dear Sebastian,
Although "PhD" sounds very good, the topic of my dissertation is "Alchemical Imagery in the Works of Quirinus Kuhlmann". Thus, I am not a specialist in the Late Antiquity.
It is clear that in discussed period people believed in the superior wisdom of Egyptians. But I think this fact should not reflect the existence of impact of Egyptian's wisdom on certain Greek philosophical schools.
I would like to introduce Neo-Pythagorean philosopher Apollonius of Tyana. According Philostratus, he also was inspired by Egyptian wisdom.
Eugene Kuzmin (Phd)
-----Original Message-----
From: Society for The Academic Study of Magic [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sebastian Haines
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Pythagoreanism and Egyptian religion.
Hello,
My name is Sebastian and I have been lurking here awhile, directed to this list by a friend.
Sadly, I am not an academic, nor do I wish to sound impertinent, but this is a subject I am passionate about and I thought I would add something. I know Iamblichus and Porphyry were already mentioned, but I would like to specifically point to "The Life of Pythagoras" by Iamblichus, which I have in "The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library" by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie. In it, Iamblichus tells directly how Thales recommended Pythagoras go to Egypt to be educated, then it tells how Pythagoras became initiated in the mysteries of all the Egyptian gods. Porphyry also wrote a "Life", but I think it was fragmentary and less detailed than Iamblichus. I find it fascinating that a number of Greek philosophers (especially Plato) were educated in Egypt, but I have found very little so far that analyzes this trend an its impact.
I would also very much love to hear of more sources for this myself.
-S.
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